Amateur pool competitions are overseen by the American Poolplayers Association (APA). This organization organizes tournaments and leagues for nine- and eight-ball competitions. It follows a standard set rules. The APA also hosts a handicapped player championship. These tournaments are great for meeting other pool players and competing against the best.
Standard Rules for APA
The APA Standard Rules to Pool Tournaments includes a number helpful resources for players. These include an Official Team Manual, and a Rule Booklet. You will also find information about keeping score and handicap information in the rules. These rules can be downloaded to a variety od devices. A number of online videos are available to assist you in the game.
APA nineball is different than Texas Express rules 9 ball in many ways. First, balls 1-8 count for one point, while nine balls count for two. Also, pocket made on the break counts as two points. The rules also require that object balls are counted as dead balls. After a rack is played, the player with the most points wins.
The handicapping system of APA
The APA's handicapping system for pool championships is based on a formula that attempts to balance skill levels. For example, a player who plays 6 balls needs to shoot 46 balls to win a game, while a player who plays 9 balls needs to shoot 19 balls to win. The formula relies on win/loss statistics that has been proven to be very accurate.
NAPA handicapping does not have a cap. Instead, it assigns a level of skill to each match. The highest-skilled players for 8-ball and 9-ball are rated at 115 or 149, respectively. Most players fall in the 30s and 70s.
APA's Sportsmanship Award
World Pool Championships recognizes the winners of APA's Sportsmanship Award in Pool Tournaments. The nomination process is used to determine the winner. You must be a pool player to be eligible for this award. Nominations will be made by APA staff. Winners will be recognized at the tournament and their names published in the tournament's programme.
A tournament's host cannot change leagues. The franchisee cannot do this. The League Operator was not authorized to establish an in house division. The APA then contacted a nearby competitive pool league and arranged for an in-house section.
APA's Wheelchair Championship for players in wheelchairs
The APA Wheelchair Championship, a tournament for those with physical limitations, is the APA's Wheelchair Championship. There are five skill tiers. The Blue Tier is for players with SL2 and 3 abilities, Yellow Tier is for players with SL4 and up, and the Red Tier is for players with SL5 or higher abilities. To qualify players must be APA Members and have at most 10 League match scores in the last two year.
APA Junior Championships
Each year, the American Poolplayers Association holds several major pool tournaments. APA's Junior Championships are a major event for juniors, as well as teenagers. It is open to all players and takes place in Lake St. Louis. The U.S. Amateur Championships and the Amateur Championships are held at the APA. Amateur Championships are held in late April/early mai and the World Championships take place in late august. The APA's world championships have been certified as the world's largest pool tournament by Guinness World Records in 2010 and are ranked as the largest in the world. APA's junior championships are open to young players, with each division divided into skill levels.
Each year, there are two major competitions at the APA Junior Championships. The nine-ball World Championship draws more than 500 teams. APA members from various countries compete in the event. The APA has international affiliates, the Canadian Poolplayers Association and the Japanese Poolplayers Association. WPBA Tour is North America’s most popular televised swimming competition.